We all are aware that evenly cut logs will burn well.

They are easy to dry consistently, easy to catch fire, and efficient to use.

The thing is that most people do not know what the ideal length is that they should be cut to.

So, What is the best length to cut firewood into?

Ideally, the best length of cut firewood is 16 inches.

The weight should be around 6 inches. When you cut into this size, it is easy to put into the firewood. Anything other than that, and the logs will burn too quickly. If they are thicker than these dimensions, they will take too long to dry.

That is why; this is the best length to cut firewood into.

To help you out, we will share a few techniques you can use to cut firewood into these dimensions.

How to cut firewood of the same length?

There are essentially four different ways to cut firewood into the same length. You can use the technique which suits you the best as a firewood length marker.

1. Use the chainsaw as a measuring tool:

The first one is to use the chainsaw as a measuring tool itself. You can mark 16 inches on the chainsaw. After that, whenever you plan on cutting a log of wood, you can use the chainsaw as a measuring tool and ensure that you inflict the cut at the right position. That way, you will not require any additional tools.

Even when dealing with wood in bulk, this technique will save you a lot of time. It will not hinder the natural process of cutting wood into logs.

2. Use a spray marker:

The second option which you have is to carry a spray marker. You have to roll the wheel on the log lengthwise. When you do so, it will dispense the same amount of paint at every point of contact. Once you see the paint, you can take your chainsaw and cut it at that length.

Since the circumference of the wheel is constant, it will apply the paint at the same point, and therefore you will always cut the firewood in equal length.

If you want to cut it into 16 inches, you have to choose the wheel accordingly.

You could also try one of these clever little tools called the Mingo Firewood Marker:

3. Use a bar attachment:

There are numerous measuring bars available as well. That way, they will allow you to measure the wood up to 16 inches. After that, you can use a regular marker to mark the position and cut it using the chainsaw.

These bars are not bulky and highly portable. That is why carrying them with you is easy.

4. Use tape to measure:

Last but not least, you can take a measuring tape with you. The measuring tape allows you to measure any length and mark the wood. That way, it becomes easier to cut the wood where you want.

These are the four ways to cut firewood to the right length.

Why should you be consistent with firewood length?

We briefly touched upon why you should cut firewood in the same dimensions. We will go into the details of these reasons below.

1. easy to store and handle:

Uneven logs take up a lot of space. Nobody has this extra space when you want to store the logs for the entire season.

It is a much better idea to cut them into the same size to avoid this problem. That way, stacking them up and storing them in a small space is easy.

2. Efficient burning:

Same-sized logs require the same amount of heat to burn. That is why, when you put them into the fire, all will catch fire simultaneously. That way, you can predict the amount of heat they will provide and use the firewood accordingly. It will reduce the amount of wood you need to generate the required amount of heat.

3. Easy to dry:

Drying time also depends on the thickness of the wood. Since the dimensions are the same, all such logs of wood will dry simultaneously, making it easy for you to use them.

In Summary

Thus, the best length to cut firewood is 16 inches. Once you go through the guide above, you will know how to cut every piece of wood into the same length and why it is essential.

Firewood is an important and necessary commodity during the colder seasons.

But what is the best way to season firewood?

Seasoning firewood reduces its moisture content, preserving the wood’s nutrients and providing sufficient heat. It also improves the wood’s insulation value and makes it easier to start a fire. Proper drying of firewood will also reduce splitting, prevent mold growth, and reduce the amount of smoke.

There are three methods for seasoning firewood, depending upon the amount of time and space available:

Method 1 – Air Drying

The simplest, least expensive, and most common method for drying firewood is air drying. Air-dried firewood is cut into small pieces and stacked so that air can circulate freely through it to eliminate moisture from the wood.

It should be seasoned outdoors in an open area, away from any tree roots or other objects that may impede airflow.

Air drying can take anywhere from a few months up to a year, depending upon the type of wood and the size of the logs.

The larger diameter pieces of firewood such as those from cedar, redwood, or cypress trees will dry more quickly than the smaller wood type such as oak or ash.

Method 2 – How to season firewood FAST – Propane Drying in a Kiln

Propane drying is best for people who want a quick way to dry their wood but do not want to burn any fossil fuel. To begin, you must purchase a propane oven.

As with air drying, propane drying should be done outside away from tree roots or other objects that may impede airflow.

Propane dehydrators are available at most hardware stores or department stores. Many commercial firewood providers use this method on a large scale to process large volumes of firewood on scale.

Another option is to purchase a propane firebox. This can be found at many home improvement stores and online.

Method 3 – Electric Drying

Using an electric dryer eliminates the need to cut firewood into pieces and it consumes less energy than propane drying because it uses less electricity. Electric driers come in a variety of models, with prices ranging from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars.

Electric dehydrators are not as common as propane driers, but they are still available at most hardware stores or department stores. They can also be found online.

The firewood should be cut into pieces and stacked, just as with the other methods of drying.

Drying firewood properly can take time, but it is well worth the wait because of the money and energy saved in the long run. Once you have seasoned your firewood properly, it will last for several years without having to be dried again (provided you keep it dry).

Properly dried firewood will not only burn more efficiently and conserve more energy, it will also reduce the amount of smoke and carbon monoxide that you produce.

So actually, what is the best way to season firewood?

Alright, alright, you’ve heard three methods explaining the best ways to season firewood, but which is the best?

well… as with most things, it depends…

It specifically depends on your budget and time. If you have lots of time, then you can afford to air dry, however, if you are short on time, we would recommend a propane dehydrator or an electric dryer method.

Benefits of Seasoning Firewood:

Firewood should be seasoned outside in an open area away from tree roots or other objects that may impede airflow. Firewood seasoning takes time, but it is well worth the wait because of the money and energy saved in the long run.

Another benefit of firewood drying is that it reduces the amount of smoke and carbon monoxide you produce when you burn. Properly dried firewood will not only burn more efficiently, it will also reduce the amount of smoke and carbon monoxide that you produce.

A firewood rack is a neat way to keep unused firewood handy without damaging your property or yourself. They are generally less expensive than a traditional wood shed and require little maintenance after they are put in place.

To build a wood rack, the wood must be cut into long, thin pieces while still damp.

When you stack the wood, it should fit loosely to allow air to circulate through the wood. Use pieces any greater than 2 inches in diameter or you will trap moisture inside the rack and make your firewood too wet to burn efficiently.

A firewood rack should be placed where it is protected from being knocked over or blown over by wind and water. Mark the location of your rack carefully on your property before installing it.

How long to season firewood after splitting:

It really depends on the type of wood and how protected the area is that you are drying the wood in. A good tip to speed up the process is to paint the box you are storing the split wood in Black or a dark color so that it heats up the timbe inside. This will work to evaporate any moisture and leave your wood dry.

So, what is the best way to season firewood?

From the article, we can conclude that the best way to season firewood is to let it dry out and build a firewood rack. The cost-benefit of firewood and its energy-saving benefits make this a necessary commodity during the colder seasons.

If you’ve ever gone out on the hunt for the best firewood for indoor fireplace, you’ll know that it can be a time-consuming process. There are many choices of wood, but not all of them are appropriate for the fire. The following are the most popular woods for fireplaces, as well as their best uses.

so… what’s the best firewood for a fireplace?

It’s all in the list below:

Southern Pine

Southern Pine is common firewood, with a soft, uniform texture. It has an ideal ratio of heat to coals and it burns with even heat for long periods, making it the best choice for stoves and other heating systems. It can be burnt with little smoke, although it does produce a moderate amount of ashes. When it burns, it produces very little odor and is not irritating to the eyes. It tends to burn quickly and can be difficult to start when green.

White Oak

White oak is a very dense wood, which means that you don’t need as much of it when burning as you would with another type of firewood. It produces a lot of heat and a moderate amount of coal. It burns slower than most other types of wood, but it doesn’t produce many ashes or sparks. White oak is best used in fires that will be burning for long periods.

Red Oak

Despite being very hard, red oak burns well.

It produces a good amount of heat and it is one firewood that tends to burn longer than other woods.

It doesn’t produce a lot of ash or smoke, which is good for people with allergies and makes it one of the best wood for fireplace no smoke.

It’s also a great choice for open fires and fireplaces, as it doesn’t require constant attention. Red oak wood can be difficult to light when green, but once it gets going it burns exceptionally well.

Black Locust

Black Locust is by far one of the best wood species to burn in a fireplace or stove. It has great burning characteristics, produces very little creosote, and leaves very little ash. While it’s known as one of the best firewood types around, it can be hard to find sometimes. Black Locust comes from North America, but it is becoming less common in forests due to logging and overcutting.

Eastern White Pine

Eastern white pine is a less dense, lower quality wood than most other types of firewood. If you have trouble finding straight wood or have a lot of firewood, this wood could suit your needs. It burns with a moderate amount of heat and produces very little ash or coals. There is little smoke produced by this type of firewood when burning, making it suitable for people with respiratory problems.

Common Hackberry

Hackberry wood burns slowly and is said to be easy to start. However, it isn’t as easy to find and doesn’t produce a great amount of heat. It produces little ash or coals but can be a great choice for people who have respiratory problems. This wood burns fast once it gets going, but it does leave a lot of ash and sparks.

Ponderosa Pine

This wood is very popular because of its huge, expansive knots. The wood from these trees tends to last for hours when burning in your fireplace, and the pleasant scent it gives off makes it a favorite among people who like the smell of a crackling fire. The main drawback is that it is hard to split and can cost more than other types of wood.

Eastern Red Cedar

This wood burns slower than most other hardwoods, which makes it ideal for those who want to burn their wood over a long period. The wood also smells great while burning, and the cedar aroma can last for hours. This type of wood also produces very little ash, making cleaning up after your fire very easy.

Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar wood is high quality. It produces a lot of heat and coals, but it doesn’t produce a lot of ashes or smoke when burning. It burns slowly, which is great for those who want their fire to last an extended period. Western Red Cedar also produces very little ash or sparks.

Conclusion

So now you know what’s the best firewood for a fireplace – If you’re looking for great firewood for your fireplace, you’ll want to pick the type of wood that suits your needs the best.

If you go out and buy the wrong type of wood, you could end up with a burnt pile of ash. Make sure that you know what kind of wood you need before heading out to cover any ground.

Learning how to split wood by hand certainly has its advantages. You will be able to split it into the size which you want. However, many homeowners aren’t aware of how to split wood by hand?

If you are one of them, our guide today can undoubtedly help you.

Things you will need for splitting wood by hand:

• Splitting Maul
• Axe
• Wooden block

How to split larger wood pieces?

If you need wooden pieces bigger than 8 inches, the technique we will highlight now is better.

Step one: Using the maul:

You will need a maul to cut larger pieces, and you have to start low. You have to use your body weight to bring the maul down when you’re swinging it.

Step two: Use the power of your core:

When you swing the maul, you have to keep your core strong. Your legs should be wider than the shoulder, and you should be slightly bent. This will allow you to bring the maul down with precision.

Step three: Cutting the wood further:

When you bring the maul down in such a way, the wooden pieces are likely to be broken into two. However, that does not mean you will get wooden pieces of the exact size you want. To achieve that size, you need to chop the two pieces into smaller ones again.

You must use the same technique as highlighted above.

With the help of this technique, it is easier for you to get even-sized wooden pieces.

How to split smaller wood pieces?

For the smaller wooden pieces, you have to use an axe. That is because the edge of the axe is sharper, and also you will be able to cut the wood into smaller pieces precisely.

While using the axe, the only thing which you have to ensure is that you hit the wood at the right spot. When you do that, the wood will split easily.

If you use limited power, the blade can be stuck as well. In that case, you will have to bring the axe down again at the same spot.

If the axe is stuck in wood, you have to get the axe out and hit the piece of wood on the wooden block. Doing so will separate them both. After that, once again, you can try to cut the wood into smaller pieces.

You can easily split wood by hand using these two techniques whether you need smaller pieces or larger pieces. There are, however, a few additional steps you need to follow:

Additional tips to split wood by hand:

Once you follow these steps, it becomes easy for you to split the wood efficiently.

1. Go with a chopping block:

While splitting wood by hand, it is a good idea to always use a chopping block. With the help of a chopping block, cutting the wood is easy, and you will not have to bend that low either. That is why; the chances of suffering from back pain are low.

2. Sandwich the logs:

If you want to cut the wood precisely, it is better to use chopping blocks. You should sandwich the logs between these two blocks. Also, the ground on which you keep the blocks and the logs should be soft. In that case, it becomes easier for you to split the wood.

By sandwiching the logs, you will be able to precisely bring down the axe or the maul. That way, you will not have to worry about splitting the same piece again and again.

3. Use a tire:

In addition to a wooden block, you can also use a tire. With the help of a tire, you will get a higher height which ensures that you do not have to bend so much to cut the logs. The reduction in bending means not having to worry about back pain.

4. Some pieces won’t split:

Irrespective of the tools you are using, some pieces will simply not split. They require machine work. That is why, if even after your best effort, the wooden pieces are not splitting, you might have to use an electric log splitter in that case.

Once you follow these steps, the task of splitting wood by hand is indeed easy.

If you’re looking for the exact technique, you can follow the steps highlighted above. Doing so will certainly ensure that you can split wood into proper dimensions without trying again and again.